Two former Olympians take part at UFC 93 in Dublin this weekend, and both
stand-out mixed martial artists believe that a form of the sport could be
introduced into the Games in future.

Dan Henderson competed in Greco-Roman wrestling in Barcelona and Atlanta, and the veteran Mark Coleman, who finished seventh in the Games of 1992, has gone on to become a legend in the sport.

Coleman, an American who says he is delighted to be fighting "in the home of my ancestors" on Saturday night against Brazilian martial arts expert Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua, believe the sport's inclusion at the Olympic Games "is possible, but will require a lot of lobbying with a lot of bigwigs".

Henderson, however, who faces another huge name in the UFC, in Rich Franklin, is much more forthright about the sport's inclusion, as it continues to mushroom in popularity around the world.

Henderson explained: "I took part in two Games, and when I made the switch to mixed martial arts after my Olympic wrestling career, I was so blown away with the sport from the start that I had no doubt it would become a huge global sport."

Henderson, originally from Apple Valley, California, part English, Scottish, French and native American, began training in mixed martial arts in 1997, having been schooled as a wrestler by his father, Bill. His brother Tom was also a wrestler, while his sister Selanee is a developing golfer who is on the Futures Tour in the US.

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Certainly, the first UFC event to be held in Dublin has caught the imagination of the public. The 02 in Dublin was sold out within days of the tickets going on sale.

Henderson, who has amassed a formidable record over the last decade, moved over to the UFC from the Pride championships in Japan two years ago, having held titles at the UFC equivalent of middleweight and light-heavyweight. Yet he has had the toughest baptism possible in the UFC Octagon, facing Anderson Silva, to whom he lost by submission, and Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson, again a loss on a five-round decision in the UK in 2007. He improved with victory over Rousimar Palhares by decision in his last contest.

There is much at stake in his meeting with Franklin, the winner to be appointed coach of the next televised series of The Ultimate Fighter, pitching the UK versus the US over 12 weeks, from January, with the event based in Las Vegas. Britain's leading mixed martial artist, Michael Bisping, will coach the UK team and then face off against the winner of Henderson-Franklin later this year.

Henderson said: "There are several things I want to accomplish that are attainable in this sport, and if I do reach them, I will then retire. I want to beat Anderson Silva [at middleweight], and I want to hold the light-heavyweight title.

"One of the reasons I'd like to beat Franklin is that I'd like to coach the American team in the TUF 9 series. Coming from an Olympic background, I know that athletes feel a real pride and honour representing their country.

"UK versus US is a great idea. MMA has really taken off in the UK and I thought it was a matter of time before UK fighters would get to where they needed to be to have a team or a group of fighters at the top level in the UFC. We've seen that with the likes of Michael Bisping and several others who are now competing regularly in UFC events."

If Franklin, more rounded and a better striker, is to be successful against Henderson, he must beat him in the stand-up, while Henderson needs to employ his wrestling skills, and find success with his knockout power against Franklin, a southpaw. There is no clear favourite in this headline contest, though Henderson should have the determination and desire to take this.

In the co-main event, expect the legend Coleman to be cheered to the rafters by the partisan support of the Irish fans.